HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Board of Budget Review completed its final review of the 2021 Town Budget on Wednesday, Dec. 9, setting up the final review of the spending plan by the Houlton Town Council Wednesday, Dec. 16.
David Gates, a certified public accountant with the Presque Isle-based accounting firm Davis, Gates & Alward, and who oversaw the final board of budget review meeting, said the town was looking at a very well-rounded budget for 2021.
“I think this is a very good budget, very fiscally responsible,” Gates said. “We’re in a very healthy position, and I’m optimistic about it.”
The board voted to approve all item appropriations as originally listed, with the exception of the Aroostook Agency on Aging, where it was voted to give the agency a total of $3,500 for next year. While that sum was the amount the town had included in its expenses over the last four years, it had not included any funding as part of 2021’s expense budget.
“I think it’s well worth the investment from the community,” said Mike Jenkins, a member of the board, in proposing the motion to increase the funding for the agency. “Especially with our elderly population and the programs they [the agency] offer.”
Carl Lord, another member of the board, agreed with Jenkins. “The elderly population is what I’m worried about more than anything,” he said. “I’d like to see a putback in also.”
The total municipal budget for this year comes to about $8.7 million, which is around $100,000 higher than the budget for 2020.
With the board’s review complete, it will now pass on to the Houlton Town Council, followed by a public hearing on the 2021 budget, to be determined at a later date in time. The town uses a calendar year cycle for its budget of January to December.
